meshtastic/docs/legal/trademark.mdx

---
id: trademark
title: Trademark Rules & Brand Guidelines
sidebar_label: Trademark
---

Meshtastic® is a registered trademark of Geeksville Industries LLC. Meshtastic software components are released under various licenses, see [GitHub](https://github.com/meshtastic) for details. No warranty is provided - use at your own risk.

# Meshtastic Trademark Policy

Meshtastic, and Meshtastic logo ("Meshtastic Logo"), either separately or in combination, are hereinafter referred to as "Meshtastic Trademarks" and are trademarks of the Geeksville Industries LLC. Except as provided in these guidelines, you may not use the Meshtastic Trademarks or any confusingly similar mark as a trademark for your product, or use the Meshtastic Trademarks in any other manner that might cause confusion in the marketplace, including but not limited to in advertising, on websites, or on software. In fact, the law obligates trademark owners to police their marks and prevent the use of confusingly similar names by third parties. If you have questions about this policy, please contact the Trademark Supervisor by enquiring at [trademark@meshtastic.org](mailto:trademark@meshtastic.org).

# Usage That Does Not Require Written Permission
Below are the guidelines for use of the Meshtastic Trademarks where, as long as you are in compliance with the guidelines, no advance written permission is necessary. In all cases, use is permitted only provided that:

* the use is not disparaging to Meshtastic or software distributed by Meshtastic.
* the use does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by Meshtastic.
* proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Meshtastic Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use
* the Logo Usage Guidelines are strictly observed

## Noncommercial and community web sites

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to show support for Meshtastic by:

placing the Meshtastic Trademarks on a personal web site or blog to support open source software
making a page on a social networking web service to support open source software
linking to the Meshtastic website to provide information or show support for open source software
The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks on websites to show your support for the open source software, provided that:

where possible, the design logo hyperlinks to the Meshtastic website, [http://meshtastic.org/](http://meshtastic.org/), or if that is not possible, the site includes a prominent link to the Meshtastic website at [http://meshtastic.org/](http://meshtastic.org/).
proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Meshtastic Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use
the Logo Usage Guidelines are strictly observed
the site indicates clearly that it is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meshtastic; in addition, where possible:
the site must include the text "This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Meshtastic project" prominently on any page that includes the Meshtastic Trademarks, and
if the Meshtastic Trademarks appear in a page header or any area that is designed to be presented on more than one page, the notice must also be designed to be presented on all of those pages as well. (i.e., if the Meshtastic Trademarks appear in a site-wide header, the informational text must appear in that header or an identically site-wide footer.)
the site does not use visual styling that could be confusing to viewers or visitors as to whether the site is hosted by or on behalf of Meshtastic.
A copy of the use of the Meshtastic Trademarks is provided to the Trademark Supervisor within seven (7) days of its initial use, for example by sending a URL or other copy of such use.

## Business web sites

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to show support for Meshtastic by:

* displaying a link to the Meshtastic website using the Meshtastic Trademarks from a business web site
* displaying the Meshtastic Trademarks as part of a business that utilizes Meshtastic software 

The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks on business web sites, provided that:

* the web site has non-Meshtastic primary branding
* the design logo hyperlinks to the Meshtastic website, [http://meshtastic.org/](http://meshtastic.org/)
* the use does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by Meshtastic
* the use of the Meshtastic Trademarks does not imply an association with nor any form of endorsement by Meshtastic
* proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Meshtastic Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use
* the Logo Usage Guidelines are strictly observed
* the site does not use visual styling that could be confusing to viewers or visitors as to whether the site is hosted by or on behalf of Meshtastic
* A copy of the use of the Meshtastic Trademarks is provided to the Trademark Supervisor within seven (7) days of its initial use, for example by sending a URL or other copy of such use

## Promotional events

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks to promote events. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks in such promotional events, provided that:

* the use does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by Meshtastic
* the use of the Meshtastic Trademarks does not imply an association with or endorsement of the event of the goods distributed at such event
* proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Meshtastic Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use
* the Logo Usage Guidelines are strictly observed
* A copy of the use of the Meshtastic Trademarks is provided to the Trademark Supervisor within seven (7) days of its initial use, for example by sending a URL or other copy of such use

If you would like to make some non-software goods to give away or sell at the event and don't already have a license to do so, see Non-software goods.

## Publications

It is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks in the title and content of a publication, provided that:

* the use is clearly in reference to the Meshtastic* the use does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the publication by Meshtastic
* proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Meshtastic Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use
* the Logo Usage Guidelines are strictly observed
* A copy of the use of the Meshtastic Trademarks is provided to the Trademark Supervisor within seven (7) days of its initial use, for example by sending a URL or other copy of such use

# Usage that Require Prior Written Approval

## Social Media

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks, including the term "Meshtastic" in a Social Media account. It is not permissible without written permission of Meshtastic.

## Domain names

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Meshtastic Trademarks, including the term "Meshtastic" in an Internet domain name. It is not permissible without written permission of Meshtastic.

## Non-software goods

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use Meshtastic Trademarks on non-software goods such as Embedded Systems, Enclosures, Hardware, T-shirts, stickers, and pens.

Community members may request from the Trademark Supervisor designated by the Admins of Meshtastic a license to use the Meshtastic Trademarks on non-software related goods or services, by enquiring at [trademark@meshtastic.org](mailto: trademark@meshtastic.org). The Trademark Supervisor will be responsible for reviewing samples of the goods and services and managing the relationship.

# Unapproved Use

The following uses of the Meshtastic Trademarks are not approved under any foreseeable circumstances.

* Violations of the Logo Usage Guidelines or Trademark Usage Guidelines
* Any use outside these guidelines not by explicit written permission
* Except as set forth herein, Meshtastic retains and reserves all rights to the Meshtastic Trademarks and their use, including the right to modify these guidelines.

These guidelines (except for trademark licenses executed for non software goods) may be amended from time to time at the discretion of Meshtastic and such changes will be effective ten (10) days after the changes are posted. Meshtastic may provide you with notice of such changes, but need not do so. You are responsible for checking this site for any changes.

# Proper Trademark Use

One of the purposes of Meshtastic is to encourage the use of Meshtastic software to enable the public to come to trust the use of Meshtastic Trademarks. To achieve this purpose it is important that Meshtastic can quickly be identified. Meshtastic has chosen the Meshtastic Logo to identify such software and is granting usage rights in the Meshtastic Logo (and the other Meshtastic Trademarks) as previously described in this document in order to assure widespread availability.

## Trademark Usage Guidelines

### Guideline

#### Examples

When using the Meshtastic Trademarks you must provide the proper trademark symbols and a trademark attribution statement.

Acceptable: Use for the first instance of the Meshtastic Logo include the ® mark, and include the statement "The Meshtastic logo trademark is the trademark of Geeksville Industries LLC."

Unacceptable: Never using the ® mark for Meshtastic Logo, nor a trademark statement per the guidelines.

Always distinguish trademarks from surrounding text with at least initial capital letters or in all capital letters.

Never pluralize a trademark. Never use "a" or "the" to refer to an instance of the trademark. Always use a trademark as an adjective modifying a noun, or as a singular noun.

Never use a trademark as a possessive. Instead, the following noun should be used in possessive form or the sentence reworded so there is no possessive.

Never translate a trademark into another language.

Never alter a trademark in any way including through unapproved fonts or visual identifiers.

Never use or register any trademarks that are confusingly similar to, or a play on, the Meshtastic or Meshtastic Logo.

Never combine your company name with the Meshtastic name or use the Meshtastic name in a way that it could be perceived that Meshtastic and your company have an organizational link such as a joint venture.

Never use the Meshtastic Trademarks in a disparaging manner or that violates any federal, state, or international law.

Unacceptable: Cartoon character micturating on the Meshtastic Logo, applying Meshtastic Logo outside permitted uses

Never use terminology that states or implies that Meshtastic assumes any responsibility for the performance of your products and services.

The Meshtastic Logo must be hyperlinked to [http://meshtastic.org/](http://meshtastic.org/), in contexts where such a hyperlink is technically feasible.

Acceptable: Hyperlinking the Meshtastic Logo where feasible

Unacceptable: Not hyperlinking the Meshtastic Logo where feasible

Except as prohibited by law, the person or entity who is using the Meshtastic Trademark under the terms of these Guidelines ("User") acknowledges that Meshtastic is the sole and exclusive owner of the Meshtastic Trademarks and agrees that it will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership either during the term of such use or afterwards. Specifically, User will take no action that will interfere with or diminish Meshtastic's right in the Meshtastic Trademarks. The User acknowledges that the Meshtastic Trademarks are valid under the applicable law and that User's utilization of the Meshtastic Trademarks will not create any right, title or interest in the Meshtastic Trademarks. The User agrees not to apply or assist any third party to register the Meshtastic Trademarks or a confusingly similar designation anywhere in the world. If any application for registration is or has been filed by or on behalf of User in any country and relates to any mark which, in the reasonable opinion of Meshtastic, is confusingly similar, deceptive or misleading with respect to, or dilutes or any way damages the Meshtastic Trademark, User shall, at Meshtastic's request, abandon all use of such mark, and any registration or application for registration thereof and shall reimburse Meshtastic for all costs and expenses of any oppMeshtastiction or related legal proceeding, including attorneys' fees, instigation by Meshtastic or its authorized representative. Upon the written statement that the User is not using the Meshtastic Trademarks in accordance with the Guidelines, within ten (10) days, User shall modify its use to comply with the Guidelines or cease using the Meshtastic Trademarks.

## Logo Usage Guidelines

The Meshtastic logo is a trademark of Geeksville Industries LLC. In order to protect and grow the Meshtastic brand, we have a distinguishable logo. When displaying the Meshtastic logo, please follow our standard Trademark Guidelines. Other sizes and resolutions of the logo, some suitable for print, can be found [here](https://github.com/meshtastic/meshtastic-design).

To join the discussion about Meshtastic Trademark policies, and participate in shaping future policy visit the [Meshtastic Discourse](http://meshtastic.discourse.group) or [Meshtastic Discord](https://discord.com/invite/UQJ5QuM7vq).